Automobile parking device



April 16, 1929. E, B HESS 1,709,400

AUTOMCBILE PARKING DEVICE Filed July 22, 1927 Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT prince.

EDWARD B. HEssfi on ORLANDQFLORIDA, AssIGNon or Fon'rY-NINE PER CENT '.ro JOHN D. RoDGERsoF ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

AUTOMOBILE PARKING DEVICE.

Application led July 22,

This invention has for one purpose the production of a simplitied and improved device adapted to obtain the saine general result as the devices disclosed in my prior application No. 186,()42-tiled A pril 23, 1927,/ and the a pplication of John l). Rodgers No,y 180,2-itl8lile1l -April 25, 1927. The construction disclosed in these prior eases has been greatly siiiiplitied by the present invention.

rlhe purpose of the invention is to provide an attachment which may be supported by the chassis ot the automobile or by the rearaxle housing and which carries a single roller supported at a point outside olf and behind a rear wheel ot the automobile but in proximity thereto so that when the machine is backed into parking position, this roller will collie into contact with the curb and will cause the rear end ot the machine to'take up a position .parallel with the curb. This permits the niachine to be backed into position at a much sharper angle than usual and by preif'enting the wheels trom coming into contact with the curb avoids any danger of damage thereto.

In a inodiied toi-in the brackets which support the roller are hinged so that they may move upward it they come in contact with any surface obstruction on the roadway. Normally the roller is held in proper position by a spring or equivalent mechanism.

ln the drawings:

Figure l-is a side elevation ot` an automo-v bile showing the invention in position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a i'ear portion` ojt' the chassis showing the operation ot the device.

Figure 3 is a perspective View ot' the at.- tachment detached from the machine.

Figure 4 is a side View of a portion of a modification. A

Figure 5 is a top plan View of this modification.

This invention is applicable to any form ot automobile or similar power driven vehicle and the drawings, therefore, disclose merely a conventional machine A having -tront wheels B, rear wheels C, a rear axle D and a chassis frame E. 'These elements may be of any old or desired construction andthe inventionis not to be regarded as limited by the drawings eX- 'cept as required by the scope of the claims.

The bracket 1 has a curved outer portion 1927. Serial No. 207,726.

terminating in a fork 2 in which is supported a Vroller 3 for free rotation. 'lhe other end ofthe bracket 1 is formed into a plate 4 which is held in position underneath the axle housing by the usual U-bolts 5 which pass over the housing and through said plates. The second bracket (S has a similar plate, 7 which is attached to the other end of the axle housing by similar U-bolts 8. The other end of this bracket 6 is welded or otherwise rigidly fastened to the bracket 1 at or near the curved portion thereof. lhe brackets 1 and 7 aie preferably slightly resilient. in order that they may yield when the under side ot the roller or its support comes in contact with an obstruction ot' any sort.

In the modified form shown in Figures 4 and 5 the'bracket 1 and plate portion 4 are connected by a hinge 9 which allows the bracket 1 and roller to swing upward. The plate 4 is provided with ahook l() on its lower t'ace and the bracket 1 with a similar hook 11, which hooks are connected with a spring k12 that normally holds the roller 3 in its lowest position. The bracket G and plate 7 are also hinged by a pin 13.

The lower jaw ot the fork 2 is enlarged and luis a rounded lower surface 14 which will result in camiiiing the bracket 1 upward it' it comes in eontactlwith any obstructions during the movement ot the automobile. 'I`his enlarged portion also atl'ords a countersink t'oi' the head ot' the bolt 15 upon which the roller 8 revolves.

It. is believed that the operation of the device will be apparent from the above description.` lVh'en the automobile is backed into paiking .position. the roller 5l. which is positioncd just in the rear and outside ot the rear wheel C and at a point below the axle D, will come into Contact with the curb X as shown in Figure 2 and the succeeding backward movement will cause the rear end of the automobile to ltake up a. position parallel with the curb. This enables the machine to be backed into the curb at a much sharper angle than would otherwise be the case and facilitates parking in a limited space. It also prevents any damage to the tire because of the wheels coming into contact with the curb or the like.

It is obvious that various detail changes may be made without in any way departing ried by the chassis ol the automobile and revoliible means supported by the brackets and positioned inst behind and outside, the plane of a rear wheel of the automobile in position to Contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position.

2. A device Jfor facilitating the parking of an automobile parallel with the cub or the Y like, which coiiipi'ises brackets rigidly cai'- ried by the chassis oi" the automobile and connected thereto at a plurality ot' points in a line transverse olZ the automobile and revoliihle m"ans supported by the brackets and positioned just behind and outside a rear wheel in position to contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position.

3. A device for facilitating the parking ol an automobile parallel with the curb or the like, which compris-cs a bracket rigidly fastened at one end to the chassis of the automobile, a second bracket fastened at one end to the chassis ot' the automobile at a point at the other side thereotl and rigidly connected to the lirst bracket intermediate its ends, and revoluble means carried by the free end o l the first bracket and positioned just behind and outside a rear Wheel in position to contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position.

4. A device for facilitating the parking of an automobile parallel with the curb or the like, which comprises brackets rigidly carried by the chassis of the automobile, rev-y oliible means supported by the brackets and positioned just behind and outside a rear wheel in position to contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position, and means permitting the revolublc means to move upwardit it comes into contact with an obstacle.

5. A. device for facilitating the parking ot' an automobile parallel with the curb orithe like, which comprises brackets rigidly carried by the chassis ol' the automobile, revoluble n ieans supj'iorted by the brackets and positioried just behind and outside a rear wheel in position to contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position, means permitting the revoluble means to niove upward il`l it comes into contact, with an obstacle, and spring means normally holding the revoluble means in operative position.

(5. A device, i'or Afacilitating the parking ot' an automobile parallel with the curb or the like, which comprises brackets rigidly carried by the chassis of the automobile, revoliible means supported by the brackets and positioned just behind and outside a rear wheel in position to contact with the curb when the automobile is backed into parking position, and a hinge in each bracket permitting the revoluble means to more upward if it comes into contact with an obstacle.

7. device for Yfacilitating the parking of an automobile parallel with the curb orl the like which comprises means carried by the chassis ot the automobile and revol uble means supported by the first named means and postioned just behind and outside the plane ot' a rear wheel ol the automobile to contact with the curb when the automobile is baci-:ed into parking position, and thereby impart a lateral body movement to the rear end ot' the chassis independent ot the steering mechanism.

In testimony whereof, l have hereunto suhseribed my naine.

i EDVVARI) IS. llllta'S. 

